Shloka 12
पौराक्षापि मनस्त्रस्तास्तेषामपि चला स्थिति: । तदर्थ बुद्धिरध्यास्ते सोडनर्थ: परिषीदति,उस समय इन्द्रियरूपी पुरवासीजन मनके भयसे त्रस्त हो जाते हैं, अतः उनकी स्थिति भी चंचल ही रहती है। बुद्धि भी उस अनर्थका ही निश्चय करती है। इसलिये वह अनर्थ आ बसता है
paurākṣā api manas-trastās teṣām api calā sthitiḥ | tad-arthaṁ buddhir adhyāste so 'narthaḥ pariṣīdati ||
Vyāsa said: When the mind is frightened, the city’s citizens—the sense-faculties—are shaken as well; therefore their condition remains unsteady. The intellect then fastens upon that very harmful course as though it were the aim. Thus mischief settles in, and the person sinks into distress.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear and agitation in the mind destabilize the senses; when discrimination (buddhi) aligns with that disturbed state, it rationalizes harmful aims. Ethical living therefore requires steadying the mind so that buddhi chooses true welfare rather than ‘anartha’.
Vyāsa explains an inner process using the metaphor of a city: the senses are like citizens who panic when the mind is afraid. Their instability then influences the intellect, which adopts a misguided resolve, and the resulting harm takes hold, leading the person into suffering.